Recorder and inking system therefor



Aug. 9, 1966 o. SCHWElTZER RECORDER AND INKING SYSTEM THEREFOR OriginalFiled March 15, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG YIIIIIIIIIIII INVENTOR.

EARL O. SCHWEITZER ATTQRNEY A RECORDER AND INKING SYSTEM THEREFOROriginal Filed March 15, 1963 FIG.4

NVENTO EARL O. SCHWEnlax/Mam ORNEY Aug. 9, 1966 E. o. SCHWEITZERRECORDER AND -INKING SYSTEM THEREFOR Original Filed March 15, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet 5 ZNVENTOR.

EARL O. SCHWEITZER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,266,048 RECORDER ANDINKING SYSTEM THEREFUR Earl (B. Schweitzer, Wicklitfe, Ohio, assignor toClevite (Zorporation, a corporation of Ghio Continuation of applicationSer. No. 265,394, Mar. 15, 1963. This application July 12, 1965, Ser.No. 471,067 21 Claims. (Cl. 346-140) This invention relates to recordingdevices and more particularly to an improved writing system for a penreconder :having a movable record medium.

This application is a continuation of my patent application Serial No.265,394, filed March 15, 1963, for Recorder and Inking System The-refer.

In United States Paent No. 3,054,109, assigned to the same assignee asthe present invention, there is disclosed in connection with anoscillographic recorder, a pressurized ink feed system. The presentinvention contemplates certain improvements to the pressurized inkingsystem disclosed in said patent and additional improved recorderfeatures.

The writing system disclosed in the aforementioned patent basicallycomprises-one or more writing penshaving a tubular tip, the entireperiphery of which is effectively sealed against the surface of therecord medium during a writing operation. A pressurized source ofwriting ink is connected to an ink supply manifold for the pen, thelatter being biased against the record medium with sufficient force thatthe ink pressure is insuflicient to break the effective seal. A shut-offvalve is provided to selectively connect or disconnect the pressurizedink source to the ink manifold.

As is known to those skilled in the art the inking system disclosed inthe aforementioned patent is advantageously independent of gravitationaland acceleration forces, temperature and altitude effects, andsubstantially eliminates drying and clogging of the ink within the pen.However, even though the system has resulted in a substantial advance inthe recording art, it has been found to be subject to severaloperational characteristics which areobjectionable in some instances.One objectionable characteristic is that even after closure of theafor-ernen-' tioned shut-off valve a remanent pressure exists betweenthe shut-off valve and pen tip which causes ink to be discharged fromthe pen tip when the pin is lifted for servicing, etc.

Another characteristic encountered in a multi-pen recorder having asingle ink manifold connected to supply a plurality of pens is thetendency of one pen when removed from contact with the record medium toact as a vent for the manifold resulting in ink leakage from the otherpens under the influence of gravity even in the .absence of the remanentpressure condition. Such characteristics have been found to render penservicing and replacement of the record medium difficult.

It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to providean improved pressured ink writing system for a recorder.

Another object of the invention is to automatically relieve the remanentpressure in a pressurized ink writing system after a source ofpressurized ink is disconnected from the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pressurerelief valve. Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedink manifold for a mu-lti-pen recorder having means for individuallycontrolling the flow of ink to the pens and means for simultaneouslyterminating the supply of ink to all the pens. 7

Another object of the invention is to terminate the supply of ink to allpens of a lmulti-pen recorder in response to opening of a record mediumaccess drawer.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved recordmedium support assembly and an improved drawer mounting thereof. I

Other objects :and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a recorder with the record mediumsupporting drawer withdrawn;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic side view of the recorder shown in FIGURE 1illustnating the record medium supporting means;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic illustration of an ink writing system for therecorder depicted in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a pres sure relief inkshut-oif valve-illustrated in FIGURE 3;

FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged sectional views showing various controlpositions of the manifold shutoff vvalves illustrated in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 8 is a side View of a portion of the recorder shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings there is shown a recorderidentified generally by the reference numeral 10. While, as will beapparent to those skilled in the art, the inventive features areapplicable to various types of recording devices, the particularrecorder 10 disclosed for exemplary purposes comprises a high speedoscillogr-aphic pen recorder having a movable record medium or stripchart 12 adapted to be engaged and marked by a plurality of writing pens14 (in this instance 6). The record medium 12 as shown most clearly inFIGURE 2 is stored on a main storage roller 16 and driven past the tipsof pens 14 by means of guide rollers 18, 20 and 22, and guide bars 24,26 and 28 and then stored on a rewind roller .30.

The rollers 16, 18, 20 and 22 and guide rods 26 and 28 are mounted inparallel axial relationship on a movable drawer 32 of the recorder 10which may be with drawn as shown in FIGURE 1 for purposes of servicingthe parts supported thereby and replacing the record medium. Guide rod24 on the other hand is fixedly supported between opposite side walls ofthe main recorder chassis 34 to engage the record medium 12 as shown inFIGURE 2 upon closure of the dnawer 32.

Guide rod 24 upon closure of drawer 32 as will later be describedfunctions to position the record medium 12 into engagement with anactuating earn 36 of a micro switch 38 to thereby app-1y closingpressure to switch 38. When the supply of record medium is exhaustedthrough operation of the recorder 10 the actuating arm 36 will bereleased and switch 38 will be opened to terminate the supply of ink topens 14 and dc-energize the chart posi- 3 tioning means as willhereinafter be described in more detail.

.By means of the parts thus far described the record medium '12 ispositioned over a writing plate 40 to be marked by pens 14. It will beapparent that suitable motor means may be arranged to drive roller 30 toeffect movement of record medium 12 at a uniform relatively constantvelocity. Pens 14 each have a tubular tip 42 which engages the recordmedium 12 as it passes over surface 40 to leave an ink tracerepresentative for example of the magnitude of a variable condition.

Each of the pens 14 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 3 is positionedrelative to record medium 12 by means of a suitable pen supporting anddriving mechanism contained within for example a housing 44 asiliustrated in connection with the two pens shown in FIGURE 3.Preferably the driving and supporting mechanism includes biasing meanssuch as a spring 46 for maintaining engagement of the tips 42 with therecord medium 12 during a writing operation to insure an effective sealbetween the tips and the record medium.

Inasmuch as such pen positioning and support means are well known tothose skilled in the art further description is deemed unnecessary.

The system depicted in FIGURE 3 for supplying liquid ink to pens 14comprises in general a pressurized inking system which basically issimilar to that disclosed in United States Patent No. 3,054,109. Ingeneral, the system includes a pressurized source of liquid inkcomprising a can 48 containing ink maintained under pressure by gastherein or maintained under pressure by a pump or spring loaded piston.The ink source 48 is adapted to be connected by an electricallyoperative shut-off valve 50 to an ink manifold 52 which is rotatablysupported at its ends on the juxtaposed side walls of chassis 34 for apurpose which will hereinafter be described. Ink is supplied to pens 14from mainfold 52 by fiexible conduits or tubes 54.

The inking system as thus far described functions as disclosed in theaforementioned patent to supply ink under pressure during a writingoperation to the pen tips 42. During the writing operation the entireperiphery of each pen tip 42 engages and forms an effective seal withthe surface of the record medium 12. Preferably each pen tip 42 isbiased against the surface of record medium 12 with suflicient forcethat the ink pressure is insuflicient to break the seal thusestablished. The biasing force is correlated with the viscosity of theink and the inherent resistances to flow of the viscous material.Accordingly, a balanced hydrostatic inking system is provided whichfeeds an adequate amount of the viscous ink to the pen tip, yet does notforce excess amounts of the ink out of the pen in normal operation.

Considering now the specific features of the present invention it hasbeen found that even after termination of the ink supply to pens 14through closure of shut-off valve 50, a remanent pressure will remain inthe system shown in FIGURE 3 between valve 50 and pen tips 42. If thepens 14 should be subsequently removed from engagement with the recordmedium 12 such as during replacement of the latter, ink will bedischarged from the pens under the influence of the remanent pressurecondition. I have found that this undesirable characteristic can beeliminated by providing means for automatically relieving the remanentpressure in response to closure of valve 50.

Referring now to the FIGURE 4 of the drawings which is a longitudinalview in partial section of the valve 50 depicted in FIGURE 3, there isshown a valve body 56 having drilled parallel inlet and outlet passages58 and 60 intersecting with and in perpendicular relationship with aconnecting passage 62 extending through the valve body 56. The passage62 is provided with a suitable shoulder for supporting a valve seat 64adapted to be engaged by a ball valve member 66 in the closed positionof the latter. Valve member 66 is biased toward engagement with seat 64by means of a coil spring 68 mounted in compression between valve member66 and a plug and spring retainer 78 threaded in the left end of passage62 to seal the same. Inlet passage 58 is connected by a flexible conduitor tube 72 to pressure source 48 as shown while outlet passage 60 isconnected by a flexible tube 74 to the manifold 52, suitable fittings being provided as shown to facilitate the tubing connections. When valvemember 66 is displaced to the left out of engagement with seat 64against the bias of spring 68 communication will be established betweenink source 48 and manifold 52. On the other hand, engagement of valvemember 66 with seat 64 will terminate communication.

To position the valve member 66 relative to valve seat 64 an actuatingdevice is provided which comprises in this instance an electric solenoid76 having a movable core 78 adapted to be displaced to the left asviewed in FIGURE 4 upon energization of solenoid 76 by means of thecircuitry hereinafter to be described. Motion is transmitted fromsolenoid core 78 by means of an actuating connection in which isincorporated the remanent pressure relieving means as will now bedescribed.

Still referring to FIGURE 4 one end of a hollow actuating tube 80, whichdefines a longitudinal fluid passage, is slidably received in the rightend of valve body passage 62 and engages valve member 66 for displacingthe latter relative to valve seat 64. The tube 80 is preferably providedwith a slot 82 in the wall thereof to establish communication betweenthe inlet passage 58 and outlet passage 60 in the open position of valvemember 66 and between the hollow interior of said tube and outletpassage 68 in the closed position of valve member 66 for a purposehereinafter described. Clearance 18 provided between tube 80 and passage68 as shown to insure free communication in the manner described. Theright end of tube 80 is fixed and sealed within a central bore of an endcover plate 84 attached to the left flanged end of a short tubularmovable housing 86. The tube 8.0, cover plate 84 and housing 86 thusdefine a movable sub-assembly displaceable as a unit during actuation ofvalve member 66.

Slidably received in the left end of tubular housing 86 1s a secondsmaller diameter housing or piston 88, the left end of which defines amovable wall for an expansible and contractible chamber 90 withinhousing 86 between the cover plate 84 and said movable wall. The chamber90 is sealed by means of a flexible tubular sealing diaphragm 92 formedfrom, for example, a silicon rubber material and having its left endclamped between cover plate 84 and housing 86 and its right end clampedto housing 88. The expansible and contractible chamber 90 is thus incommunication with outlet passage 60 by means of tube 80 but isotherwise sealed. Displacement of housing 88 relative to housing 86 aswill later be de- 1sacribgal in more detail serves to vary the volume ofcham- To complete the operative connection between movable core 78 andvalve member 66, an elongated actuating rod 94 is slidably received inthe right end of housing 88 in coaxial relationship therewith andslidably received in a suitable bore in the housing of solenoid 76, theright end of rod 94 being engaged by solenoid core 78 as shown in FIGURE4. The actuating rod 94 is biased to the right by a coil spring 96mounted in compression between an interior shoulder of housing 88 and aspring retainer carried by rod 94.

In operation of the structure disclosed in FIGURE 4, the parts willassume the positions shown in the de- I energized condition of solenoid76. Upon energization of solenoid 76 movable core 78 will be displacedto the left to displace rod 94 to the left to compress spring 96.Housing 88 will accordingly be gradually displaced relative to housing86 under the influence of the biasing force of spring 96 to reduce thevolume of chamber 90 and engage the cover plate 84. When engagement ofhousing 86 with the cover plate 84 thus occurs, the assembly comprisinghousing 86 and tube Stl will be displaced to the left to move valvemember 66 out of engagement with seat 64. As a result, communicationwill be established between passages 58 and 60 and the ink manifold 52will be connected to the ink source 48.

It will be noted that during opening of valve member 66, spring 96uniquely functions to permit instaneous full range displacement ofsolenoid core 78 and thus normal solenoid operation. The spring 96 whenthus compressed by solenoid 76 exerts a biasing force on housing 88greater than the displacing force of the ink pressure acting on housing88 in the opposite sense. Accordingly, in the open position ofvalvemember 66 the volume of chamber 90 will be reduced to substantiallyzero.

With valve member 66 in its open position a pressure will exist in thesystem disclosed in FIGURE 3 equal to the pressure of ink source 48 andthe system is rendered operative for a writing operation.

When solenoid 76 is subsequently tie-energized to terminate theconnection of ink source 48 to manifold 52, the displacing force of core78 and biasing force of spring 96 will be removed and the biasing forceof spring 68 will tend to displace the assembly comprising valve member66, tube 80, housing 86, housing 88 and rod 94 to the right towardsolenoid 76 until valve member 66 engages seat 64 whereupon movement oftube 80 and housing 86 will close.

Closure of valve member 66 in the manner described will terminatecommunication between passages 58 and 60 and housings 86 and fiwillbefree for relative displacement. The remanent pressure existing in thesystembetween valve member 66 and the pen tips 42 will communicate withexpansible chamber 90 by means of actuating tube 86 and tend to expandchamber 96 and displace housing 88 to the right relative to housing 86to the position shown in FIGURE 4. The resulting increase in volume ofchamber 90 will relieve the remanent pressure in the system.Accordingly, the pressure between valve member 66 and the pen tips willbe reduced to substantially atmospheric pressure. Thus, by properlysizing chamber 90 complete pressure relief can be achieved automaticallyin response to closure of valve member 66.

Referring now to FIGURE 3 and the specific structure of the ink manifoldand valve means associated therewith, the manifold tube 52 is rotatablysupported in the upper portion of the recorder chassis in overlyingrelationship with pens 14 and positioning means therefor. The manifoldassembly and'pen positioning means are enclosed by a pivoted cover plate98 which renders the parts non-visible in FIGURE 1. Cover plate 98 maybe rotated upward to render the manifold valves now to be describedaccessible.

Manifold 52 comprises an elongated hollow tube having a suitable bearingassembly 100 adapted to be received in a suitable supporting bracketmounted on the interior surface of the chassis side wall. The left endof the manifold 52 is rotatably received and sealed in an ink supplyfitting 104 adapted to be received in a bracket mountedon the interiorsurface of the opposite chassis side wall, the fitting 104 beingconnected to ink supply tube 74 to thereby establish communicationbetween outlet passage 60 of valve body 56 and the interior of manifold52.

To supply ink to pens 14 the manifold 52 is provided with a plurality ofaxially spaced openings or ports 108 (FIGURE 5) in the wall thereofcorresponding in number and spacing to pens 14. Valve means comprising aplurality of sleeve valve members 110 are associated with ports 108respectively to control the How of ink from manifold 52 to pens 14.Specifically the sleeve valves 110 are formed from a suitable nylon orplastic material and are slidably mounted on the manifold 52 adjacentthe ports 108 respectively. Each valve member is provided with a tubularoutlet fitting 112 having an outlet port or passage 114 adapted to bemoved into and out of alignment with the associated manifold port 108either by rectilinear displacement of the valve member axially ofmanifold 52 or by angular displacement of manifold 52 relative to thevalve. The arrangement is such that each valve member 110 may bemanually positioned axially of the manifold 52 to provide an independentink shut-off means for each pen 14 while manifold 52 may be rotatedrelative to valve members 110 to terminate the supply of ink frommanifold 52 to all pens simultaneously regardless of the positions ofthe valve members 110.

To accomplish the stated operation of the manifold and valve assembly,means are provided which permit limited rectilinear displacement ofvalve members 110 relative to manifold 52 and inhibit angulardisplacement of said valve members during angular displacement ofmanifold 52. Specifically, each valve member 110 is provided with anintegral guide flange 116 (FIGURE 3) having a pair of elongated slots118. When the valves 110 are positioned on the manifold 52 as shown inFIGURE 3 flanges 116 slidably engage the flat surface of a plate mountedon the opposite side walls of chassis 34 in parallel relationship withmanifold 52.

The range of movement of each valve member 111) relative to plate 120 isestablished by a pair of guide pins 122 receive-d by slots 118 and fixedto plate 120. Each pin 122 is provided with a head or flange at itsupper end of diameter greater than the width of the slot to retain thevalve member 110 in engagement with the surface of plate 126 whilepermitting relative displacement of the valve member for a distancedetermined by the length of the slots.

Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 in addition to FIGURE 3, the pins122 are positioned on plate 120 with respect to ports 108 and thedimensions of sleeve valve members 110 to cause the ports 108 to bealigned with outlet passages 114 as shown in FIGURE 5 when the valvemembers 110 are in their extreme left position relative to pins 122 asshown in FIGURE 3 and to cause the ports 108 to be out of alignment andcommunication as shown in FIGURE 6 in the extreme right position of thevalve members 110. Accordingly, pins 122 and slots 118 determine therange of movement of valve members 110 and the open and closed positionsthereof. It will be apparent that each valve 110 may be individuallymanually adjusted as desired between its open and closed positions tocontrol the supply of ink to its associated pen 14.

Pins 122 in addition to determining the range of rectilineardisplacement of valve members 110 serve to inhibit angular displacementof valve members 110 to thereby permit relative displacement of manifold52 as previously mentioned. Referring specifically to FIGURE 7 it willbe apparent that upon slight angular displacement of manifold 52 themanifold ports 108 will be displaced out of operative relationship withrespect to valve outlet passages 114 thereby simultaneously Closing allof the valves to completely terminate the supply of ink to pens 14.

The shut-off feature achieved by rotatably mounting manifold 52 provides.as an additional safeguard against ink leakage from the pens 14. Evenin the absence of the remanent pressure condition previously describedthere is a tendency for pen leakage to occur upon disengagement of thepens from the record medium as a result of one or more pens functioningas a vent for 1 manifold 52 thereby permitting ink flow from manifold 52to the other pen tips. Through rotation of manifold 52, however, tosimultaneously disconnect all pens from the manifold, such a ventingcondition is effectively prevented.

' URES 1 and 8.

Inasmuch as the last described leakage condition is encountered upondisengagement of the pen tips 42 from the record medium 12, means areprovided for automatically angularly displacing manifold 52 to thepos1t1on shown in FIGURE 7 in response to opening of drawer 32 to removethe record medium and supporting means therefor from an operativeposition with respect to pens 14. More specifically, the manifolddisplacing means as will now be described is associated with a uniquelatching and removal means for drawer 32 which in itself constitutes anadvance in the recorder art and an inventive feature. I

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings the rigid writing plate 40where the record medium 12 is engaged by pens 14 is necessarilypositioned to the rear of and above tips 42 in the closed position ofdrawer 32. Accordingly, if the plate 40 were fixedly supported on drawer32 to be movable in a fixed plane therewith, interference of the surface40 with the pen tips 42 would occur upon closing or withdrawal of thedrawer 32.

To avoid interference between surface 40 and pens 14 the writing plate40 and roller 18 are pivotally mounted on the drawer 32 and loweredduring closure and removal of the drawer. More specifically, at thefront of drawer 32 a pair of latching levers 124, rigidly connected by aU-shaped actuating arm 126, are pivotally mounted on supports 128 bypivot pins 130. Roller 18 is rotatably supported at its ends on levers124 and writing plate 40 is fixed at its ends to levers 124 in front ofroller 18 as shown more clearly in FIGURE 2. The center of gravity ofthe pivoted assembly is such that clockwise displacement as viewed inFIGURE 1 tends'to occur in the free state of the assembly.

When the drawer 32 is withdrawn as shown in FIG- URE 1, the pivotedassembly including levers 124 will be locked in the position shown by alever 134 (FIG- URE 8) which is pivotally mounted by a pivot pin 136 onthe side of the drawer 32 and is adapted to engage a stop pin 138 fixedto the latching lever 124 at the left side of the drawer 32. A spring140 serves to bias the lever 134 toward counter clockwise rotation onpin 136 as viewed in FIGURE 8.

In the open position of drawer 32 as shown in FIG- URE 1 pin 138attached to the left latching lever 124 is engaged by lever 134 toinhibit pivoted displacement of levers 124 and the assembly coveredthereby. Accordingly, in the open position of drawer 32 the parts willbe effectively locked in the positions shown in FIG- In this lockedcondition, the angular position of the assembly comprising latchinglevers 124, uniting plate 40, and roller 18 will be such that theassembly can be displaced inwardly without interference with pen tips42.

Latching levers 124 are provided with L-shaped slots 144 which areadapted to slidably receive the chart guide rod 24 upon closure ofdrawer 32 and function in cooperation therewith to latch the drawer in aclosed position and to effect upward angular displacement of writingplate 40 and roller 18 to their operative position with respect to pens14. Upon closing movement of drawer 32 guide rod 24 is received in slots144 as shown in FIGURE 8 and engages lever 134 in the nearly closedposition of drawer 32 to pivot the lever 134 clockwise as viewed inFIGURE 8 out of engagement with pin 138 to release latching levers 124,the disengagement occurring after writing surface 48 has passed inwardlybeyond the pen tips 42. In the fully closed position of drawer 32,actuating arm 126 is manually depressed toward the front of drawer 32whereupon upward angular displacement of the assembly comprisinglatching levers 124, writing plate 48 and roller 18 will occur to thenormal writing position thereof. Such angular positioning of latchinglevers 124 also causes guide rod 24 to be received in the verticalsegment of slots 144 to latch the drawer 32 in its closed positionwhereupon the recorder is ready for a writing operation.

To open the drawer 32 it is only necessary to release latching levers124 through manual actuation of arm 126. Downward angular displacementof writing plate 48 and roller 18 will occur simultaneously with releaseof guide rod 24 from the vertical segment of slot 144 whereupon thedrawer may be withdrawn without interference between writing plate 40and pen tips 42. During outward displacement of the drawer, lever 134will move out of engagement with guide rod 24 and be released forlocking engagement with pin 138 to thereby lock latching levers 124 andthe parts carried thereby in the position shown in FIGURE 1 whereinslots 144 are maintained in alignment with guide rod 24 forre-engagement therewith upon subsequent closing of the drawer 32.

Referring now again to the ink supply system, means are provided toangularly displace ink manifold 52 in response to opening and closingmovement of drawer 32 to prevent the ink leakage condition previouslydescribed. Referring specifically to FIGURE 3, this means comprises anactuating arm fixed to and extending from manifold 52 for pivotalconnection to a vertically displaceable connecting arm 152 positioned ina guide slot 154 of a bracket 156 attached to the right side wall of therecorder chassis. Connecting arm 152 is loosely received in slot 154 andbiased to one side thereof by a spring 158. An integral shoulder 160limits upward displacement of the connecting arm 152. With thearrangement shown, vertical displacement of the connecting arm 152 willeffect angular displacement of manifold 52. The arrangement is such thatin the uppermost position of arm 152 the manifold 52 will be in theangular position shown in FIGURES 5 and 6 to render valve members 118operative with respect to ports 108. In the lowermost position of arm152 as shown in FIGURE 3, the manifold 52 will be in the angularposition shown in FIGURE 7 wherein valve members 110 are inoperative andthe ink supply to pens 14 is terminated.

Connecting arm 152 is arranged to be displayed by latching andunlatching movement of the right latching lever 124, and to this end, isprovided with an outwardly bent end portion or lug 162 which is adaptedto be received in a recess 164 of said latching lever. When the latchinglever 134 is displaced in the closed position of drawer 32 to latch thesame as hereinbefore described, recess 164 will effect positioning oflug 162 and upward displacement of arm 152 to rotate the ink manifold tothe angular position illustrated in FIGURES 5 and6.

Upon subsequent unlatching of the lever 124 recess 164 will effectdownward displacement of arm 152 and angular displacement of manifold 52to the position illustrated in FIGURE 7. Accordingly, initial unlatchingof the recorder drawer 32 will effect disconnection of the manifold 52from pens 14. Advantageously the pens 14 are disconnected beforedownward angular displacement of writing plate 40 occurs during removalof drawer 32 and thus before disengagement of pens 14 with record medium12.

In FIGURE 3 I have also illustrated schematically the energizing circuitfor solenoid 76 and a driving motor 166 adapted to drive roller 30 toposition record medium 12. Solenoid 76 and motor 166 are connected in aparallel circuit adapted to be connected to a power source 129 by switch38 and an additional manually actuated switch 168. Switch 168 isprovided-with an actuating button 170 mounted on cover 98 and comprisesan on-off switch for the ink supply and roller 30 driving means. It isintended that switch 168 will be manually actuated to an open positionprior to opening of drawer 32. As previously mentioned, switch 38 isprovided to automatically shut off the ink supply and roller 30 duringmeans when the chart supply is exhausted. Advantageously, however, ifthe operator neglects to open switch 168 prior to opening of drawer 32,switch 38 will open when the chart 12 9 is moved out of engagement withactuating arm 36 during opening movement of drawer 32 to therebyterminate the ink supply to pens 14 and de-energize motor 166.

While there have been described what at present are believed to be thepreferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a writing system for a recorder having at least one marking penmovable relative to a recording medium, the combination comprising: anink supply manifold connected to the pen to supply recording ink theretoand mounted for rotary motion; a valve member operatively associatedwith said manifold and supported for movement between positions relativethereto for controlling the supply of ink to the pen; and means forrotating said manifold relative to said valve member to close said valvemember to terminate the supply of ink to the pen.

2. In a writing system for a recorder having at least one marking penmovable relative to a recording medium, the combination comprising: atubular ink manifold rotatably mounted for angular displacement andhaving a port for supplying to the pen; a valve member mounted forrectilinear movement between open and closed positions relative to saidmanifold for selectively opening and closing said port to control theflow of ink to the pen; and means for angularly displacing said manifoldrelative to said valve member to thereby displace said port relative tosaid valve member to terminate the supply of'ink to the pen in said openposition of said valve member.

3. In a writing system for a recorder as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidvalve member comprises a sleeve slidably mounted on said manifold andhaving an outlet port communicating with said manifold port in said openposition of said valve member; and wherein a section of flexible tubingconnects said outlet port to the pen.

4. In a writing system for a recorder having a record medium thecombination comprising: a plurality of writing pens engageable with therecord medium and movable relative thereto; an elongated tubular inkmanifold rotatably supported at its ends on the recorder for angulardisplacement relative thereto; said manifold having a pluralityof portsfor supplying ink to said pens-respectively; a plurality of valvemembers mounted on said manifold adjacent said ponts respectively forindependent rectilinear movement axially of said manifold between openand closed positions relative to said ports respectively; said valvemembers each having an outlet port adapted to communicate with theadjacent manifold pont in said open position thereof; flexible conduitsconnecting said valve outlet ports to said pens, respectively; means forangularly displacing said manifold relative to said valve members tosimultaneously move said manifold ports out of communication with saidoutlet ports respectively to simultaneously terminate the flow of ink toall of said pens.

5. In a writing system for a recorder having a record medium thecombination comprising: a plurality of writing pens engageable with therecord medium and movable relative thereto; a tubular ink manifoldrotatably supported on the recorder for angular displacement relativethereto; said manifold having a plurality of ports for supplying ink tosaid pens respectively; a plurality of valves positioned adjacent saidports for controlling the supply of ink to said pens, respectively; saidvalves having a closed condition in a first angular position of saidmanifold and an open condition in a second angular position of saidmanifold; and means for angularly displacing said manifold between saidfirst and second positions.

6. An ink writing system for a recorder having an ink source and aplurality of pens movable relative to a record medium comprising: anelongated tubular ink manifold connected to the ink source and having aplurality of axially spaced ports in the wall thereof; means rotatablysupporting said ink manifold for angular displacement between first andsecond positions; a plurality of sleeve valves slidably mounted on saidmanifold adjacent said ports respectively; each of said sleeve valveshaving an outlet port and being independently adjustable in said firstangular position of said manifold to move its outlet port into and outof alignment with the associated manifold port; flexible conduitsconnecting said outlet ports to said pens respectively to supply inkthereto upon alignment of said ports; and means for angularly displacingsaid manifold relative to said valve members from said first to saidsecond position to displace said manifold ports and render said sleevevalves inoperative with respect thereto.

7. In an ink writing system for a recorder as claimed in claim 6 whereineach of said sleeve valves is provided with a flange extending axiallythereof and having a pair of slots therein; and wherein pins mounted ona fixed support engage said slots respectively to permit axialdisplacement of said sleeve valves relative to said manifold and torestrain said valves against angular displacement during angulardisplacement of said manifold.

8. In a recorder the combination comprising: a recorder chassis; amovable drawer supported on the recorder chassis and adapted to bewithdrawn from a closed positon to an outward position; latching meansfor retaining said drawer in a closed position and releasable to permitwithdrawal of said drawer; a record medium supported on said drawer; atleast one ink writing pen supported on said chassis for engagment withsaid record medium in the closed position of said drawer; valve meansincluding a member having a first position for connecting the pens to asource of ink and second position for terminating the connection; andmeans operative in response to release of said latching means foractuating said member from said first to said second position thereof.

9. In a recorder the combination comprising: a recorder chassis; amovable drawer supported on the recorder chassis and adapted to bewithdrawn from a closed position to an outward position; latching meansfor latching said drawer in said closed position and releasable forwithdrawing said drawer; a record medium supported on said drawer; aplurality of ink writing pens supported on said recorder chassis andadapted to engage the record medium in the closed position of saiddrawer for marking said record medium; an elongated tubular ink manifoldrotatably mounted on said recorder chassis having ports in the wallthereof for supplying ink to said pens; a plurality of sleeve valvesslidably mounted on said manifold adjacent said parts for rectilineardisplacement relative thereto to control the supply of ink to said pens;and means for angularly displacing said manifold relative to said sleevevalves upon release of said latching means to render said sleeve valvesinoperative and to terminate the pressure on the supply of ink to all ofsaid pens.

10. In a recorder the combination comprising: a recorder chassis; amovable drawer supported on the recorder chassis and adapted to bewithdrawn from a closed position to an outward position; a record mediumsupported on said drawer; a plurality of ink writing pens supported onsaid recorder chassis and adapted to engage the record medium in theclosed position of said drawer for marking said record medium; anelongated tubular ink manifold rotatably mounted on said recorderchassis; valve means operatively associated with said tubular manifoldoperative in a first angular position of said manifold to supply ink tosaid pens and operative in a second angular position of said manifold toterminate the supply of ink to said pens; and means for angularlydisplacing said manifold from said first to said second position uponwithdrawal of said drawer.

11. In a recorder as claimed in claim 10 wherein latching means areprovided for latching-said drawer in said closed position and releasablefor withdrawing said drawer; sad manifold displacing means beingactuated by said latching means during release thereof.

12. In a recorder as claimed in claim 11 wherein said latching meanscomprises a pivotal lever mounted on said drawer for engagement with apart fixed to said chassis; and wherein said manifold displacing meanscomprises an actuating arm operatively connected to said manifold andpositioned to be engaged by said pivotal lever.

13. A balanced hydrostatic ink writing system for a pen writing on amoving strip of record medium, comprising: a pen having a tubular tipwhose entire periphery is effectively sealed against the surface of therecord medium during a writing operation; means for moving said pen tipacross said record medium during a recording operation; a pressurizedink source for said pen tip; valve means between said ink source andsaid pen tip having a first position for connecting said ink source tosaid pen tip to supply ink under pressure thereto and a second positionfor terminating the connection; means for actuating said valve meansbetween said positions; and pressure relieving means independent of saidvalve means for relieving the pressure between said pen tip and saidvalve means upon actuation of said valve means from said first positionto said second position to prevent leakage of ink from said pen tipunder the influence of the remanent pressure in the system when said pentip is moved out of sealing engagement with the record medium.

14. A balanced hydrostatic ink writing system for a pen writing on amovable strip of record medium comprising: a pen having a tubular tipwhose entire periphery engages and is effectively sealed against thesurface of the record medium during a writing operation; a pressurizedink source for supplying ink under pressure to said pen tip; bias meansfor biasing said pen tip against the record medium with sufiicient forcethat the ink pressure is insufficient to break the seal between said pentip and the record medium surface; valve means interposed between saidink source and said pen tip having a first position for connecting saidink source to said pen tip to supply ink under pressure thereto and asecond position for terminating the connection; means for actuating saidvalve means between said positions; and pressure relieving meansindependent of said valve means and compirsing an expansible andcontractible chamber adapted to undergo volumetric expansion in responseto actuation of said valve means from said first to said second positionto relieve the remanent pressure between said valve means and said pentip to prevent leakage of ink from said pen tip upon disengagementthereof with the record medium.

15. A balanced hydrostatic ink writing system for a pen writing on amovable record medium comprising; a pen having a tip in sealingengagement with the record medium during a writing operation; apressurized ink source for supplying ink under pressure to said pen tip;biasingmeans for biasing said pen tip against the record medium withsufficient force that the ink pressure is insuflicient to break the sealbetween said pen tip and the record medium surface; valve meansinterposed between said ink source and said pen tip including a valvemember having a first position relative to a valve seat for connectingsaid ink source to said pen tip to supply ink under pressure thereto anda second position relative to said seat for terminating the connection;conduit means connecting said valve means to said ink source and to saidpen tip; means for biasing said valve member toward said second positionthereof; an actuating device for effecting movement of said valve memberbetween said positions; means operatively connecting said actuatingdevice and said valve member for transmitting movement therebetween;said means defining an expansible chamber in communication with saidconduit means between said valve means and said pen tip adapted toundergo volumet ric expansion during actuation of said valve member fromsaid first to said second position to thereby relieve the remanentpressure between said valve means and said pen tip upon termination ofthe ink supply connection.

16. In a recorder the combination comprising: a recorder chassis; aplurality of ink writing pens mounted on said chassis in the upperportion thereof; a sliding drawer supported on the lower portion of therecorder chassis and adapted to be withdrawn from a closed position toan open position; a strip chart and supporting means therefor mounted onsaid drawer; said supporting means including a plate over which thechart is moved to be marked by said pens in the closed position of saiddrawer; a pair of latching levers pivotally mounted on said drawer atopposite sides thereof; said plate extending between said latchinglevers and fixed at its ends thereto; and means fixed to said chassisadapted to be engaged by said latching levers upon angular displacementthereof; said plate being positioned in an operative position withrespect to said pens by said angular displacement.

17. In a recorder the combination comprising: a recorder chassis; chartmarking means mounted on said chassis in the upper portion thereof; asliding drawer supported on the lower portion of said chassis andadapted to be withdrawn from a closed position to an open position; astrip chart and supporting means therefor carried by said drawer; saidsupporting means including a plate having an operative position in theclosed position of said drawer and over which the chart is moved to bemarked by said marking means; said plate being positioned to the rear ofsaid marking means in said operative position thereof; and means fordisplacing said plate to permit withdrawal of said drawer withoutinterference between said plate and said marking means.

18. In a recorder as claimed in claim 17 wherein said displacing meanscomprises latching means pivotally mounted on said drawer for movementinto engagement with a part of said chassis to latch said drawer in saidclosed position; said plate being connected to said latching means to bedisplaced thereby during latching and unlatching movement thereof.

19. An ink writing system for writing on a moving record medium when thesystem is in an operational status, comprising: a pen having a tubulartip whose entire periphery is effectively sealed against the surface ofthe record medium, means for moving the pen tip across said recordmedium, a container of viscous ink under pressure, means connecting saidsupply of pressurized ink to said pen, means biasing said pen tipagainst said record medium to maintain said pen tip effectively sealedagainst the said pressure on said ink at said pen tip, pressurerelieving means connected to said container of ink, and means foroperating said pressure relieving means to reduce substantially toatmospheric pressure the pressure on the ink at the pen tip to changethe system from its operational status to a non-operational status.

20. An ink writing system for writing on a moving record medium when thesystem is in an operational status, comprising: a pen having a tubulartip whose entire periphery is effectively sealed against the surface ofthe record medium, means for moving the pen tip across said recordmedium, a container of viscous ink under pressure, means connecting saidsupply of pressurized ink to said pen, means biasing said pen tipagainst said record medium to maintain said pen tip sealed against thesaid pressure on said ink at said pen tip, pressure relieving solenoidoperated valve means connected to said supply of ink, and meansconnected to said solenoid operated valve means to operate same toreduce the pressure on the ink at the pen tip substantially to.atmospheric pressure to change the system from its operational statusto a non-operational status.

21. An ink writing system for writing on a moving record medium when thesystem is in an operational status, comprising: a pen having a tubulartip Whose entire periphery is eifectively sealed against the surface ofthe record medium, means for moving the pen tip across said recordmedium, a reservoir of viscous ink, conduit means connecting said ink tosaid pen, means establishing pressure on said ink at said pen tip whenthe system is in its operational status, means biasing said pen tipagainst said record medium to maintain said seal against the saidpressure on said ink at said pen tip, pressure relieving valve means toreduce the pressure on the ink at the pen tip substantially toatmospheric pressure to change the system from its operational status toa non-operational status.

References (lited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1938 Binghamet a1. 340-140 X 11/1941 Stroobonts 251-310 2/1954 Young et a1. 346140 X9/1962 Brown 346-117 1/1963 Johnson et a1 346-440 X FOREIGN PATENTS 6/1943 Great Britain. 2/1963 Great Britain.

LOUIS I. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A WRITING SYSTEM FOR A RECORDER HAVING AT LEAST ONE MARKING PENMOVABLE RELATIVE TO A RECORDING MEDIUM, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: ANINK SUPPLY MANIFOLD CONNECTED TO THE PEN TO SUPPLY RECORDING INK THERETOAND MOUNTED FOR ROTARY MOTION; A VALVE MEMBER OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATEDWITH SAID MANIFOLD AND SUPPORTED FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN POSITIONS RELATIVETHERETO FOR CONTROLLING THE SUPPLY OF INK TO THE PEN; AND MEANS FORROTATING SAID MANIFOLD RELATIVE TO SAID VALVE MEMBER TO CLOSE SAID VALVEMEMBER TO TERMINATE THE SUPPLY OF INK TO THE PEN.